When skin repeatedly rubs against skin, clothing or a bicycle seat, it grows red and irritated. Known as chafing, this condition ranges from annoying to downright painful. Any repeated motion can cause chafing; it’s exacerbated by lingering sweat and excess body weight. While any body part can be affected, the underarms, groin, thighs, neck and nipples tend to experience the most friction and are especially susceptible. Use home remedies to reduce the characteristic stinging and burning that accompany chafed skin.

Cool Down

Treat chafed skin as quickly as possible. Applying ice packs immediately after exercise helps reduce redness and irritation, according to exercise expert Rochelle Rice. Hold the ice packs against the chafed areas for at least 20 minutes. A compress made with witch hazel also offers a cooling sensation and acts as an anti-inflammatory.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil may offer protection against infection and speed the healing process. Dip a clean cotton ball in water, sprinkle a few drops of essential tea tree oil onto the cotton and gently press the ball onto chafed skin. Repeat this process a few times each day until your skin feels better. Or, add a few drops of tea tree oil to an unscented moisturizer and apply it to the affected areas.

Soaking

Create a relaxing soak to calm irritated skin. Fill your tub with lukewarm -- not hot -- water and add 2 cups of baking soda and 10 drops of lavender essential oil. Soak for 20 minutes, then pat you skin gently dry. Create a soothing, healing bath made from green tea, chamomile and calendula. Boil 1/3 cup each of green tea, dried calendula flowers and dried chamomile tea in 2 quarts of water. Let the mixture steep until it cools, then strain the mixture and add it to a lukewarm bath. Soak for up to 20 minutes before patting dry.

Aloe Vera

The aloe vera plant's natural oils calm irritated skin. Create a cooling concoction by mixing two drops of lavender essential oil with aloe vera gel. Gently smooth it on chafed areas. Make a refreshing spray by mixing 1/4 cup of aloe vera juice, brewed green tea and eight drops of lavender essential oil. Shake the mixture in a clean spray bottle and spray it on chafed skin. Keep the spray refrigerated for an extra cooling blast.

Tips

Prevent chafing by applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly or a dusting of baby powder, talcum powder, corn starch or potato starch before exercising and wearing clean, dry clothing; dried sweat and dirt can exacerbate -- or even cause -- chafing, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Sometimes, your skin just needs a break. If possible, avoid the activities that cause chafing for a few days and give your skin time to heal. If left untreated, continued chafing can result in infection. If chafed areas become infected or you experience a scaly, reddish rash, seek treatment from a health care professional.

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About the Author

Based in the Southwest, Linsay Evans writes about a range of topics, from parenting to gardening, nutrition to fitness, marketing to travel. Evans holds a Master of Library and Information Science and a Master of Arts in anthropology.